A very feeble attempt at affirmatie action

It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.

It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

I love this show and I can't think of any that compare. I just finished series 8 and hate to think of the ong wait for 9. I read it is to be the last and as corny as it sounds, my heart aches. I hope that won't be the end, it would be badly missed. This show is so wonderful, so human and so lovable. Even Martin warms ones heart. I love the cast, too. They are all great. To watch a show against such beautiful scenery is a joy.

As a videophile, I love finding series like this gem. When I tuned in to the first episode on Netflix, I turned it off after about 15 minutes when I was introduced to the disrespectful, incompetent receptionist "Elaine." Fortunately, she was replaced with a much more competent and likable/lovable receptionist "Pauline" in the second season. This series like many of the British productions I have reviewed provides engaging entertainment with a minimum of salacious material and scenes.Dr. Martin's aunt "Joan" seems to be there to provide the "warm" grandmotherly presence in the series, but instead is portrayed as a selfish and profane woman of life-long loose morals. The series largely avoids sex scenes (which I appreciate) but the writers thought it convenient to include a gross episode of "Aunt Joan" satisfying her base and selfish instincts with a younger man. Yuk and totally off-putting. Thankfully her character is replaced with "Aunt Ruth," who appears (so far) to be much more palatable as an aunt with some reasonable basis from which to provide guidance to the doctor.The character of Louisa is captivating. She is beautiful and one wonders why still single in her mid 30s. However, she provides a blessing to Doc Martin and their evolving relationship keeps one coming back, cheering for a good outcome. Louisa is absolutely stunning as a bride. Doc Martin definitely got the best part of that bargain!Bert and his son Al are lovable sad sack characters, who always seem to mean well, yet never quite make it to their goals in life. However, they are "there" for just about anyone in need, making them a source of stability for the series.It is always entertaining to watch as the town pharmacist Mrs.Tishell melts and snaps to every time the doctor comes into the shop . . . somewhat like a lieutenant admiring the general every time he enters the room.The only character that is not believable is "PC Joe Penhale." His character is a comical caricature and certainly not a person any town would continue to employ as a peace officer. Not sure why the writers went this way with his character. It is like juxtaposing an otherwise believable clannish town with the antics of the Keystone Kops. Would never happen in real life.I would give this series a 10 for the dramatic interplay of Louisa and Martin alone. But I must subtract a point for dirty "Aunt Joan" and bumbling "PC Penhale."

Spoilers.... I happened upon Doc Martin on Netflix and became a fan almost immediately. I then mentioned the show to my parents, who've watched it every day since. Next I introduced it to my husband, who watches very little TV, and he loves it. I even caught him laughing to himself the other day, and when I asked him what was funny, he said "I was just thinking about Doc Martin". It's a comedy first, a drama second. So don't take it so seriously. Doctor Martin Ellingham is a high powered London surgeon who leaves his prestigious position to work as a gp in Cornwall. Kind of Eliza Doolittle in reverse. It goes further than My Fair Lady though by showing what happens next....after the doctor and local teacher fall in love things get messy, and funny and sad. He's a dedicated super human md who seems to hate almost everyone, is hysterically grumpy and rude and yet despite this the health of the community is his calling. Add to that quirky towns folks, beautiful scenery, a lovely leading lady and medical mysteries. Martin Clunes will surprise you when he makes you laugh and cry, more than once. He's a superb actor and fantastic physical comedian. I was also impressed with Caroline Catzs abilities. In one particular scene she plays with her mother you can actually see her reverting from a grown woman to a little girl and back again just by the expressions on her face. Doc Martin was a wonderful surprise and I hope they will continue the series for years to come. Lots of possibilities for great story lines adding a child to the cast. My only criticism would be that, as well as the actors have aged, it's doubtful they'll be able to pull off the role as parents of an infant much longer. Hopefully little James will have aged a bit quicker by next season. After all Louisa was 37 when she was pregnant 7 or 8 years ago and the baby just turned 1 in the last season.

Doc Martin is as close as it gets to perfection. Martin Clunes and Dominic Minghella should (and I'm sure do) take intense pride over their creation. The writing is the best in the business, the director Ben Bolt is amazing, and the acting is subtle, natural, hilarious and touching. In addition to Martin Clunes, Caroline Catz has shown herself to be one of the best of her generation. And the scenery and music, of course, are beautiful.Mr. and Mrs. Clunes: Don't sell out to us Yanks. Let the American version of Men Behaving Badly be your guide...Don't do it, ever, under any circumstances!